On the bike.............

Now my physio has never had an adr 'patient' before but although she is inexperienced she has up until now just been focusing on my core exercises etc.

She wants me to start an easy circuit programme at 7 weeks post op. This involves in the gym both the bike for 5 to 10 minutes then the step and a few other aerobic type exercises. Nothing too serious but I just wanted the boards view on the timing of this.

Pre-op I was not on a bike for 3 years because it irritated my lower back, I am now doing 3-4 miles walking a day nearing 6 weeks post op.

What's the thoughts on when to get on a bike as I am a little reserved with this one to be honest?

This post has been edited by Chris on Oct 16 2009, 11:10 PM

People using the recumbent bike (the one in the gym with a proper seat that is lower down than the exercise bikes) seem to have more success post adr as your back is fully supported. To use a normal exercise bike your core strength has to be at a certain level to support your spine. If at all unsure I would ask to leave it till later on in your rehab. Doing 2 - 3 minutes twice rather than 5 - 10 minutes would be a much better intro to start with as well. It is easy to overdo something and undo all the good work you have done.

When anyone uses a bike you need to make sure of your positioning that there is no over extension of the leg a from the a hip but that it isn't too close that the knee is going above the hip. It is very easy to get it wrong on your own. The physio should look at the seat height is using a normal exercise bike and adjust just for you, if on a recumbent bike tha e distance the seat is pushed forward or a back should allow for an easy extension/flexion. I would be very careful if they tell you to lean to the handlebars at all as that places a huge strain on the adr even if they are very high.

Hope that helps (spot the ex-biker!) and hopefully some others will post their experiences. On a personal note I was able to cycle after my adr with a few adjustments to a normal bike (suspension, different handlebars and a change in set up after a reassessment of my body geometry)

alison x

Hi Chris,
the usual time to start physiotherapy after surgery is six weeks and seven weeks is no problem.

The fact that you're walking three to 4 miles every day sounds very very encouraging indeed and I don't know about the bike but I would think that the aerobic exercises would be more than adequate at this time. From what I remember you're out of pain, how do you feel when you are just "round and about"?

I personally would avoid the bike at this moment in time, you're doing well and when you're doing aerobic exercises such as steps that sounds to me as if you're doing more than enough.

Mr Lams physiotherapy team used to have all their exercise schedule on the Internet but that has vanished. As your physio has never treated a patient post ADR, I would suggest that she'd get in touch with the physios at Guy's Hospital because they've got a very definite schedule for this.
I hope that is a help
Cheers,
Alastair

Thanks for your feedback folks.

In the last few weeks I have been having trouble with neck, so I think I will lay off the bike for a few weeks yet. I think I will start with the bike with the sitting position though as they have them in my local gym.

Since having the surgery at L4/L5 L5/S1 my rehab as been great apart from my neck, for a long time prior to surgery I had to spend it lying down to get relief from back pain, my neck now feels as if there is a bit of disc trouble, is this common? Are there any exercises I can do for neck pain? I will speak to my physio and I also considering a sports masseuse for both neck and legs which are still unconditioned/in a bit of pain.


I am a bit concerned that my neck now could be headed the same way as my back (ddd).


Thoughts?

This post has been edited by Chris on Oct 18 2009, 11:31 AM

Hi Chris,
I think it's just a change in posture, this often happens with people's necks and shoulders after ADR
Best,
Alastair

Thanks Alastair, you are putting my mind at ease a lot, its just really been bothering me mentally over the last week or so that it might be a neck disc going............

You also tend to use your upper body to manoeuvre yourself after surgery and this can strain neck and arm muscles as well. Ask the physio if they think you are up to a sport massage as they can be a little much post surgery whilst things are still healing up.

I was just thinking on the sports massage, I will speak with my physio tomorrow.

Thanks

Chris

How did you get on at the physio?

I decided to stop the floor exercises for a week and my neck is better, I have started them again with a log cushion for my neck and just go a bit slower.